Obstetrical sheet



Aug. 13, 1929.

A. E. WHEELER OBSTETRICAL SHEET Filed May 24 1928 Patented Aug. 13,1%29.

UNETE STE.

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ALICE E. WHEELER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

OBSTETRICAL sneer. I

Application filed May 24,

This invention relates to an obstetrical sheet, one of the objects beingto provide a sheet which will not only have all advantages of theordinary sheet used generally in obstetrical cases, but will also affordample covering for the patient without interfering with the work of theattendant.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter morefully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has beenshown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a plan view of the sheet opened and spreadout for use.

Figure 2 is a side view thereof, two positions of the under flap beingshown by full and dotted lines respectively.

Figure 3 is a section on line 8-3. of Fig ure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates themain portion of the sheet adapted generally to extend the full width ofthe bed and from a point at Or adjacent to the foot of the bed asuflicient distance to cover the body of the patient. The upper end ofthe sheet can be cut away as shown at 2 so as to fit in front of theneck of the patient and strings 3 can be employed for attaching it tothe neck. Stocking shaped members 4. formed preferably of the samematerial as the sheet, are extended from the sheet near the centerthereof, these members being fastened around openings 5 in the sheet 1which are suiiiciently large to receive easily the upper thighs of thepatient. The members 4 are spaced apart where connected to the sheet anda strip of reinforcing material is secured to the sheet between themembers as shown at 6. In this reinforcement is formed a relativelylarge opening 7 providing access to the patient, this opening being, ofcourse, extended through the sheet 1. A flap 8 is fastened at one end tothe sheet near the upper end of the opening and is adapted to be foldedback from the opening and held beneath a retaining strap or band 9 theends of which are 1928. Serial No 280,264.

secured to the sheet. A bottom flap 1O preferably coextensive in widthwith the main sheet 1 is secured along its lower edge tosaid sheet 1 ata point. beyond the lower end of the opening. I

When the sheet is not in use the bottom flap 10 can be arranged fiatbeneath the lower portion of the body or main sheet portion 1, the flap8 can be folded under. its holding strap and the stocking members can befolded laterally upon each other. With the parts thus arranged the sheetcan be folded bodily and conveniently storedv ready for use. In usingthe device it is unfolded with the bottom flap extending toward the headof the bed from the lower portion of the main sheet 1, as shown bydotted lines in Figure 2. The upper portion of the main sheet 1 isfolded downwardly toward the foot of the bed so that the openings 5 areexposed where the patient can readily insert her limbs thereinto andinto the stocking members. Thus the body of the patient will rest on thebottom flap 10 while the lower limbs will be encased in the stockingmembers and above the lower portion of the sheet 1. The upper portion ofthe sheet 1 is drawn upwardly over the body of the patient and securedby fastening the cord 3 around the neck. By lowering the flap 8 over theopening 7 the patient is fully. protected. By raising the flap to theposition shown in Figure 1 free access to the patient is afforded.

This sheet can be made readily, insures proper covering of the patientat all times, and can be easily laundered.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A device of the class described including a mainsheet, stocking members eXtending from an intermediate portion thereofand opening therethrough, and a body supporting flap attached-to themain sheet below the openings of the stocking members.

2. A device of the class described including a main sheet, stockingmembers extending therefrom and opening therethrough at intermediatepoints in the sheet, there being an opening in the sheet between thestocking members, and a closure for the opening.

3. A device of the class described including a main sheet, means forattaching one 10 of a patient, leg receiving stocking membersextendingfrom the upper member at a point between the ends thereof,means for attaching one end of the upper member to the patient, therebeing an opening in the upper member between the stocking members.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afixedmy signature.

ALICE E. WHEELER.

